(CNN) – Republicans were slower than usual to respond to the better than expected January jobs report Friday, which showed the unemployment rate fell to 8.3% and employers added 243,000 jobs.

However, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus was the first high profile GOPer to react, saying the "welcome news" is too little for most Americans.Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker

"Our economy remains unacceptably weak, and families across the country are still struggling to make ends meet," Priebus said in a statement. "Today's unemployment numbers remind us that our economy is far from fixed. That, by the president's own standard, should make him a one-term president."

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was the first 2012 presidential candidate to respond to the figures and did not miss the opportunity criticize President Barack Obama's handling of the economy.

"Unfortunately, these numbers cannot hide the fact that President Obama's policies have prevented a true economic recovery. We can do better," Romney said in a press release. "I am running for president because I have the vision and experience to help rebuild the economy and put us on a path toward greater prosperity for all Americans."

Former Pennsylvania Sen. and current White House hopeful Rick Santorum said he is encouraged that people are returning to work, but said he is concerned about people abandoning the workforce and the impact the current health care law, dubbed "Obamacare" by Republicans, might have on jobs in the future.

"We're not going to see unemployment go down substantially in the future unless we turn this economy around and get it growing again," Santorum said Friday during a visit to the Mark Twain Dinette in Hannibal, Missouri.

soundoff(80 Responses)

The Real Tom Paine

Uncertainty, Truth? How about an unnecesary fight over the debt ceiling? How about rejecting every concession the White House has made to the House GOP on their own proposals? How about leaders like McConnell stating their goal was not to solve our problems, but to make the president a one-termer? How about attaching tax breaks for people that Romeney now admits don't need help to every bit of legislation they can? The businesses you claim are demonized are ones that ahve taken bailout money or federal subsidies and now feel they don't owe us anything? Please, your cries of victim are so typical of the GOP, wanting spmething for nothing then claiming credit for everything.

February 3, 2012 11:47 am at 11:47 am |

GROVER NORQUIST IS A ENEMY OF THE STATE

Once again the RNC along with Willard and Rick seem to ignore FACTS! That's 23 straight months of PRIVATE SECTOR job growth. There is nothing they can say that can sway me that they are completely naive in their condemnation. They forget to mention that it's their policies that got us in this mess n the first place.

February 3, 2012 11:47 am at 11:47 am |

Rudy NYC

Truth wrote:

You can thank Obama for this. He funnelled BILLIONS to states in the failed "stimulus" plan so these states could continue their bloated payrolls in the face of declining revenues.
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No, it was the Republican governers and Republican legislatures. They took short term stimulus money to enact new tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, which created a long term deficit. When stimulus funds ran out, they suddenly had a "budget crisis" and took it out on public workers and public unions, killing jobs. All of the above occured in states ran by Republicans. In states ran by Democrats you find the complete opposite; balanced budgets, no teacher layoffs, etc.

February 3, 2012 11:48 am at 11:48 am |

Fair is Fair

"You can thank Obama for this. He funnelled BILLIONS to states in the failed "stimulus" plan so these states could continue their bloated payrolls in the face of declining revenues. Instead of making the tough decision then, Obama allowed them to postpone the inevitable. So now we have a pile of debt AND the states still had to let people go."
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100% spot on, Truth. Unfortunately, they will never admit to the fact that the bloated public sector is nothing bot a net drain on the economy. Shouln't have wasted your breath.

February 3, 2012 11:48 am at 11:48 am |

PNWjim

TRUTH AND DEAN: So how long will you two go before you see you are spouting garbage. Will it be in Nov. when the economy is STILL picking up and workers are finding jobs with no help from G.O.P. The stimulus SAVED JOBS and credit should be given to those who stood up for the middle class.You thought the Tea Party was a blessing but its a curse because you will not beable to move the base back to center to pick up the Indys. 4 MORE OBAMA/CLINTON OR BIDEN

February 3, 2012 11:49 am at 11:49 am |

Lee

"Reince Priebus was the first high profile GOPer to react, saying the "welcome news" is too little for most Americans."

Too little for the rank and fill GOP but not for your average swing voter who is trying to decide if Obama's policies are working or should we gamble with a GOP administration again.

February 3, 2012 11:49 am at 11:49 am |

Kansas Cowboy

My God, when I heard the unemployment figures I felt a little optimistic – can't we all celebrate this a little? Yeah, it's not perfect, but at least it's headed in the right direction. I am not a big Obama fan but this unrelenting bashing of the US by the other side is getting to me.

February 3, 2012 11:50 am at 11:50 am |

Independent Voters

President Obama great job.. Republican are going to lose the house seat and I cant wait until DO NOTHING CONGRESS get out of office.

February 3, 2012 11:50 am at 11:50 am |

Kimberly

AK Sean- thanks for sharing, thats AWESOME! AND its absolutely true! Well done!
The GOP are clueless! Real Americans understand that bush nearly destroyed this country with his hidious running of it, well letting Dick run it for him, and we understand that it was going to take time! He is fixing it slowly but surely! Saved the auto industry, ended a war, kept the economy from tanking, and now the economy on an uptick! I am in the mortgage industry, and although the new regulations make my job a nightmare, it makes me confident that there are no more bubbles coming, and I have been doing more loans every month. Peoples confidence is on the rise, and its a good time to be an American! OBAMA 2012!

February 3, 2012 11:53 am at 11:53 am |

logicnLA

When a man that made 375,000 for speaking engagments doesn't think that is much money, how can you expect him to thiink this was "good" news?

Of course the Terhune will not treat this news as good. They only know how to talk negative talk.
Pres Obama is so above the R party and on a daily basis make them look so small in everyway.

How obvious it is to see those silly Repubs whine and whimper and hate against Pres Obama

Obama/Biden in Nov 2012

February 3, 2012 12:01 pm at 12:01 pm |

Busted

These are the types of comments that turn me off from the republican party. "We're not going to see unemployment go down substantially in the future unless we turn this economy around and get it growing again" – honest to god, what numbers is this freak looking at? Losing 750,000 jobs a month to gaining over 200,000 a month is exactly what a turned around economy looks like. I swear, you have to wonder just how smart some of these people are and if they truly get it. It's disappointing, I use to be a die hard republican, I don't understand what has happened to the party. Where are the Eisenhowers? Why is Norquist's ideology more important then balancing the budget?

February 3, 2012 12:01 pm at 12:01 pm |

concerned joy

In response to "independent voters", I'm sick of everyone calling this a DO NOTHING CONGRESS. Exactly how do they "do nothing"? How about the Senate being a do nothing Senate? Congress has sent 30 jobs bills to them and Harry Reid won't even allow a vote, let alone discussion.

February 3, 2012 12:04 pm at 12:04 pm |

gt

we know one thing government did not create these jobs... its americans who have ideas and want to risk everyting to build a future and wealth......

February 3, 2012 12:05 pm at 12:05 pm |

The GOP opens mouth and inserts foot

The GOP created this really bad economy and they're blaming everybody but themselves. They should just keep their traps shut and let the serious people handle the problem.

It's sad bc the Republicans know the economy keeps gaining, no thanks to the Repubs in congress, and they're tryna to tell the public Obama is slowing down the recovery? I know it doesnt make sense to them either lol.

How about this, first acknowledge who put America in this mess. 2nd, recognize that Obama will get no help (or credit) from right. And last, slow incremental gains is what going to get theonmy going...the GOP need another leader.

February 3, 2012 12:07 pm at 12:07 pm |

wwf

As if the GOP can save the day. The only thing they have ever been able to save is their own. Oh. I forgot. How bad of me. The rich supply all of the jobs. Curious though. Just what is a small business? 50 employees? 100 employees? 1000? Just what is considered a small business. Wal-Mart?

February 3, 2012 12:08 pm at 12:08 pm |

TomInRochNY

"We're not going to see unemployment go down substantially in the future unless we turn this economy around and get it growing again," Santorum said Friday during a visit to the Mark Twain Dinette in Hannibal, Missouri.

The economy is growing, Rick. So, what exactly do you want to turn around?

February 3, 2012 12:11 pm at 12:11 pm |

John

Well you tell the Republican In congress, you know the do NOTHING CONGRESS to start trying to help the President. Instead of hurt this Country trying to make him a one term President and than thing will get better. You Republican have the worse two People that ever been In Charge of Congress and they couldn't lead them self out of a paper bag.

February 3, 2012 12:16 pm at 12:16 pm |

Rudy NYC

tykl

When people try and dismiss the talk of "it's not good enough," remember that President Obama said that will the stimulus the unemployment rate wouldn't go below 8%.
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That prediction was made by a staffer in December 2008 when unemployment was at 7%, which was *before* anyone outside of the Bush administration knew that GDP was running at close to -9% and we were losing hundreds and hundreds of jobs per month. Unemployment stood at 7.8% the day Pres. Obama was sworn in, and was well over 8.0% by the end of Feb. 2009.

In other words, the optimistic prediction was based upon economic figures from the Bush administration, which we now know were not merely wrong. They were hiding the true scope of the financial meltdown, probably to not to cause panic and further meltdown.

February 3, 2012 12:16 pm at 12:16 pm |

Truth and Nothing But the Truth

This is how BAD Obama has gotten things. Even the slightest job growth is hailed as some great miracle THREE YEARS after he took office. This after MILLIONS have dropped out of the labor force because they couldn't find jobs (thus reducing unemployment rates but are there less unemployed people? NO!)

Obama has lowered the bar of expectations so low even a snake like him can crawl under it. If you think these pathetically low job growth numbers are signs of a booming job market you are extremely delusional.

February 3, 2012 12:18 pm at 12:18 pm |

Truth and Nothing But the Truth

gt - we know one thing government did not create these jobs... its americans who have ideas and want to risk everyting to build a future and wealth......
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Yes, but that will not stop Obama and the Democrats from claiming they did it. And it will not stop Obama and the Democrats from penalizing these businesse for taking this risk by confiscating more and more of their earnings and wealth to fund an ever growing government. All money that is lost to the business for future expansion, to pay its employees, etc.

February 3, 2012 12:31 pm at 12:31 pm |

Marie MD

@PatriotAwesome they couldn't think of anything nice to say nor can they claim any credit. They were caught off guard and their lying machine couldn't keep up!
I am sure bo near is going to have himself a drink or two today with tantrum boy and the sorry behinds teapublikans!

February 3, 2012 12:34 pm at 12:34 pm |

Haitiana4Obama

Congrats to America for taking such a huge step towards a lasting recovery. I think it's time we also shift focus to the very poor who are probably part of the 1 million not counted, they matter and steps need be taken to train these people and give them jobs. I think President Obama is on the right path, and I see that Republican­s are only slowing him down, with a majority in 2013 imagine what Dems could do? Vote.

February 3, 2012 12:36 pm at 12:36 pm |

Jamie from Riverside

HAHAHAHA! Poor Repubs. don't know how to react to the good economic news and continue to try to put the worst possible spin on it.